Ailing Aldrich still struggling

KU vs. Michigan

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2009 KU-Michigan

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Which were you most disappointed in after KU's 75-64 win over Michigan?

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KU vs. Michigan

On Michigan’s second possession, DeShawn Sims drove to the hoop, put up a shot, and Cole Aldrich swatted it with authority. After a whistle at the other end, Michigan coach John Beilein, hands clapping furiously, encouraged his 6-foot-8 center: “Keep challenging him. Keep challenging him.”

Sims’ nodding head affirmed the instruction, but his retreating eyes said something along the lines of, “Easy for you to say.”

Aldrich, it seemed, was on his way to dominating, except it didn’t work out that way in Saturday’s 75-64 Kansas victory.

Scoreless for the first 10 minutes, Sims finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Failing to make a field goal for the first time since the 2008 national-title game, Aldrich tallied five points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

As has been the case so often, Aldrich spent a lot of time coughing into his jersey and trying to catch his breath. He’s averaging 11.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots and is shooting .541. His sophomore averages: 14.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, .598 shooting.

With the improvement of Marcus Morris and the addition of Xavier Henry, Aldrich isn’t needed as much as a scorer and has more help as a rebounder, but there is more to it. He hasn’t played as aggressively and attempted just three field goals Saturday.

“We can say we didn’t get the ball to him,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I don’t know if he did much to really put himself in positions to score today. He’s a lot better than he’s played. He ended up getting some rebounds and that kind of stuff, but he obviously hasn’t scored well this year, except for the Memphis game. ... He’s just not making shots. He’s probably not as confident as what he needs to be. And that’ll change. He’s a really good player. He just hasn’t played to that the last few games.”

Self, just as Aldrich never would, didn’t volunteer what could be the cause of his center’s sluggish play. The coach had to be asked: Is he still sick?

“He’s been fighting a bug,” Self said. “But one thing about Cole — he’s the best kid — he’ll never make an excuse. Never. And today, Sims was a tough matchup for him because he gets him away from the basket and drives him, but still Cole knows he can score better and be more of a presence for us. He’s had a bug, but the thing about it is, if you play, you have to perform. Nobody cares if you’ve got a cold or a bum knee. If you’re out there, you’ve got to do the job. He understands that.”

What’s wrong with Cole?

“The big fella just ain’t himself right now,” senior guard Sherron Collins said. “He’s not playing too well. He’s probably in a little funk right now. I know Cole. He’ll bounce out of it. He’ll be all right.”

Is he still sick?

“He’s been using his inhaler, his asthma pump a lot,” Collins said. “He’s gasping for more air out there. He’s getting tired more quickly.”

Said junior Brady Morningstar: “There’s just a lid on the goal right now. ... But hey, if he could score now or score at the end of the year, I’d rather have him score at the end of the year.”

Exactly 346 other D-I teams would love to own the challenge of how to nurture Aldrich back to dominance.

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AsadZ 3 years, 5 months ago

Coach needs to send him a stronger message just like he did to TT. I bet his game will improve.

ralster 3 years, 5 months ago

Loved the last line of the story: All 346 other Div1 teams would love to have Aldrich and have him shine for them, whenever he gets over his illness or funk. That says it all. He still drew some double teams. Thats fine. A Morris needs to keep starring in the post, and soon that will greatly reduce double-team-Cole strategies--and he will feast against most defenders 1-on-1. He does need to bring his A-game in BigXII play vs Judge, OU bigkid, BigDex...

Beauty about the BigXII this year is it is definitely tougher than last year (except for Mizzou), which will be the automatic 'upgraded opposition' we all know this team needs to sharpen its skills against. I dont want a loss, but an 'L' may drive some messages home?

njjayhawk 3 years, 5 months ago

We need Cole to step up considerably from here forward, if we are to stay unbeaten. Yes, he is double teamed; but the steadiness of his overall play seems lacking. His place as a First Team All-American this year is slipping away this deep into the season....and with it, his opportunity to have his name in the rafters of Allen. He is terrifically talented - we haven't seen that talent play out just yet. A double-double should be a breeze for him every night out, regardless of the competition; and such play would make his teammates on the floor with him even more effective.

loudog 3 years, 5 months ago

Unlike football, going undefeated in basketball is overrated and unnecessary. I would rather see this team build off of a tough loss and dominate the tournament than go undefeated regular season then not make it to the final four.

I'm not saying I want them to lose, but if they're going to, I'd rather it was during the regular season.

daneiorg85 3 years, 5 months ago

I agree, maybe Cole just needs to really rest so he can get completely over this bug. In the interim, Robinson, both Morrises, and Withey can get valuable minutes (I don't think that type of lineup combination is too big of a drop off considering Cole's current performance). Cole doesn't seem to be one in need of a tough lesson from Self a la Tyshawn.

KEITHMILES05 3 years, 5 months ago

I didn't know he had asthma. If that is the case then this is a very serious situation and not something he can just put away and "get over." For the love of Jesus I sure hope the staff is addressing this situation. It is something to deal with and he will not conquer on his own. Fans need to understand this and stop getting on him. It all adds up now with him being asthmatic.

LAJayhawk 3 years, 5 months ago

Having asthma makes one more susceptible to lung illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia, both of which are complications from the flu. Not that any of that is affecting Cole, but having asthma puts him at a higher risk. Aside from that, asthma restricts oxygen levels which will cause one to fatigue much quicker and not have "normal" energy.

When he's out there he's gotta play to his capabilities, regardless, but being and asthma sufferer myself, I certainly can feel for the guy. He's battling every big guy's best game along with his own lungs.

Keep your head up Cole. You're the best center in the country. Your shots will fall. We all know it.

addlime 3 years, 5 months ago

I agree, keithmiles05, this is serious. I had mono in high school, and looked like cole (rings under eyes, etc.) for the better part of the school year. I didn't really get better until a few weeks after I left the basketball team. He may have a really hard time recovering during the course of the season, especially because he's a tough minnesotan kid. The other thing is I didn't test positive for mono until after the whole episode was over. While I was really sick, no one could figure out what it was. Mono is a funny thing...

jaybate 3 years, 5 months ago

Sunday Pre Christmas Sale:

} The Cole-has-mono-argument is deeply discounted before Christmas, because it only explains so much. Here's the problem. Even when healthy, Cole has always had trouble with athletic post men who can pull him away from the basket with their jump shooting, and can also blow by him with their dribble drives. The guy at Aridzona last year was a prime example. Cole couldn't really handle him at all. DeShawn Sims of UM was even quicker. Cole can handle the either/or center. He can handle either the center who stays on the blocks and muscles, or the one that likes to play away from the basket, but he can't handle a guy who does both and drives to the iron, too. It is a hole in his game, like BRush's left was a hole in his game. Cole would have to stay another year to really fix it.

} Give some store credit to Beillein, a wily old coach, who just said, okay, lets let your bigs chase us around for 40 and see how long their lungs hold up carrying all that height and Hudy-ized muscle mass around. Not like Beillein had much of a choice either. UM's bigs aren't. But he did get his bigs moving and KU's bigs got tired in the second half. The reason we couldn't blow the game open was our bigs got tired and TRob couldn't do diddly as a reserve for fully 12 minutes. We need Withey badly and it looks like it is going to be quite awhile before he gets significant minutes.

} “We can say we didn’t get the ball to him,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I don’t know if he did much to really put himself in positions to score today." Exactly. Cole was probably suffering finals hangover, some bug, and a highly mobile big. Cole's own words over the years indicate he is a fellow who needs a lot of focus to play his best. Tests, bugs, and mobile bigs probably scattered him. He should bounce back, unless the mono explanation proves out in which case the "special season" will probably slowly wind down to one without Cole.

} If Cole does have mono and it does overcome him, there could be a clearance sale on the play big and pound it inside game. Self's decision about how to play the rest of the season would be a fascinating one. There would be strong temptation to turn this season into a Sherron and Xavier show. Sherron and Xavier might each be getting 20 FGAs a game. The team may turn into an alternation between Sherron penetrating like last year one trip, and the side clearing out for Xavier the next trip. It would also be interesting to see if Self decides to pull a redshirt from either Little, or Releford.

mvjayhawk 3 years, 5 months ago

i think we have to believe in the fact that Cole Aldrich is not the second coming of Wilt, Danny or any of the other top big men in KU history. he is who he is. and yesterday, he was exposed again, for not being able to guard athletic big men.

Good grief, he missed a point blank layup yesterday. Once he accepts who he is, then we can all get on with our lives.

Cole is a good player, and in a lot of cases, a very good shot blocker. but that's it. He will not carry us to a national championship. He needs help.

drgnslayr 3 years, 5 months ago

"With the improvement of Marcus Morris and the addition of Xavier Henry, Aldrich isn’t needed as much as a scorer and has more help as a rebounder, but there is more to it."

Here is the problem with this team. It's felt that since the Morris' are improved and with the addition of X, everyone else can go on cruise control.

This idea is not only wrong, but potentially the #1 reason why this team may not win a national championship.

drgnslayr 3 years, 5 months ago

Pittman was breathing like a mule yesterday.... in and out of the game because he can't keep up with his weight... look what he did!

Pittman is going to make Cole his boy this year.

ku_painter 3 years, 5 months ago

@jaybate..... Nice job d-bag. Where has there ever been anything mentioned about Cole having mono until you brought it up ?

njjayhawk 3 years, 5 months ago

It must be illness that is the burden, as Self pre-season talked about Cole being the best #5 at KU since Wilt. Such statement, coming from a guy who would know, says the talent is there - the matching performance certainly has not been to date. Presently, Cole shoudn't even be mentioned when talking about KU #5 great Walt Wesley, or Paul Mokeski, Greg Dreilling, Scott Pollard, or even Roger Brown.

thmdmph 3 years, 5 months ago

kupainter. addlime (anonymous) says... "I agree, keithmiles05, this is serious. I had mono in high school, and looked like cole (rings under eyes, etc.) for the better part of the school year."

I also remember over the past month, there were several posts saying he may have mono. Nothing that came close to being confirmed, but it floated around.

jaybate 3 years, 5 months ago

ku_painter,

Do you have a sphincter for a mouth?

Or a colon for a throat?

Do you speak in broken wind? :-)

Calling me a you know what for commenting on other posters' speculations in this thread on Cole maybe having mono makes me ask these and other questions that would be inappropriate for a family audience.

Besides pico-brain, since when is mononucleosis a taboo on a par with STDs?

You are not one of these persons who forbids all rational discussion of disease and bodily functions, are you?

Well, no, of course, not, because you called me a you know what, right? :-)

Firebirdguy31 3 years, 5 months ago

Yea, don't mess with Dr. Jaybate!

yates33333 3 years, 5 months ago

If Cole doesn't improve, health and playing, we can forget about a national championship. Did you watch the Texas v. UNC game? Have you seen Syracuse and Kentucky? Here is a possible final four. Go to the doctor. Come on big fella we need you badly.

yates33333 3 years, 5 months ago

By the way, lay off of Jaybate. He is the best analyst on these postings. Go Jaybate!!

JHWK 3 years, 5 months ago

No question that Cole's not been a factor offensively, except in St. Louis. Right now Cole's not even a 3rd team All-American, and I'd be surprised if he makes it. There was never any rationale to why he'd be POTY. Seems that the talking heads expected his improvement b/w So. and Jr. year to be the same as Fr. and So. It isn't that he improved that much, we just lost 2 of the best bigs in the NCAA after we won it all!

Cole's great - just not the 'best big man in the country' as many, including HCBS, tagged him pre-season.

Regardless, he'll be there down the stretch when he gets his legs and confidence. Rock Chalk!

jaybate 3 years, 5 months ago

Firebirdguy31,

Oooooh, I like that: Dr. jaybate.

Alas, ku_painter requires a specialist--a proctologist, I reckon.

No, I could never be a procto, not in a million years.

Well, wait, everyone has a price.

If my becoming a proctologist would ensure Bill Self were to break John Wooden's record for consecutive rings, I would do my part and sacrifice for The Legacy.

Rock Chalk!

jaybate 3 years, 5 months ago

yates33333,

As always, thanks for the help defense.

LAJayhawk5 3 years, 5 months ago

shut it, jaybate. geek.

jaybate 3 years, 5 months ago

LAJayhawk5,

Lancing your rhoids again, I see. Wait to post until a half hour after doing it. It will make you seem less vile than you are. :-)

jaybate 3 years, 5 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

LisaT 3 years, 4 months ago

Wow, how embarrasing

jayhawklaw 3 years, 4 months ago

jaybate is a toolbox.

RckChalkJeff 3 years, 4 months ago

jaybate news service?? Wow you are lame. Do you not get any kind of validation from any other aspect of your pathetic life?

UmbertoConforti 3 years, 4 months ago

Admit it, Jaybate makes you turds look like, well .... turds.

gthejayhawk 3 years, 4 months ago

Jaybate, they know not who they are messing with. For those of us who love your dissecting of all sports Crimson and Blue, we apprecite your opinions!

drgnslayr 3 years, 4 months ago

Come on, guys... learn to disagree with dignity. Name-calling on KUSPORTS.COM makes us all look bad.

F*&^%$#@!

lighthawk 3 years, 4 months ago

weeks ago I suggested mono, bird flu, lyme, just guessing as something was putting lead in his boots, (less oxygen) and at that time didn't recall anyone else even mentioning his health. later we watch him on sidelines continuing to cough in his towel, and 'appear' to have lost a step ... could be anything, does his roomie have a cat?

team needs him 100%, more importantly his health 4 his own good needs him 100%.

ralster 3 years, 4 months ago

Baggin' on a guy who may be sick=kick a guy while he's down! And this is supposedly to a kid who grew up in Minnesota loving KU and wanting to be a Jayhawk, and finally gets here. Then we insult him by calling him "another Chenoweth", which is regarded as a put-down by most. Why do you snivelling-idiots do this to one of your own? Because you do not have any patience whatsoever! The entire SelfBall system takes 2yrs to execute with reliable efficiency and consistency. Proof: did Julian Wright "get it" in his time here? Not really--led team in TOs in 07. The younger version of the 08 Champs even lost it all vs. UCLA in 07. And they were well-known for their tendency to play down to the level of the competition.

All you have to ask yourself is just how bad do you think Sherron Collins+Cole Aldrich want a 2nd National Championship? None of you here are in their historic position. WHY in the sam-hell do you think ColeMan returned for another season and passed up on big NBA $$ ? We dream of talented players "staying 1 more year", and you got your wish--yet this is how we treat a player who epitomizes everything an ideal student athlete should be (college grades, sense of KUs basketball legacy and his potential place in that lore, & only loved KU since he was a small boy...).

If any of you think you can tell Mr. Collins + Mr. Aldrich anything they dont already know, then you go ahead and look foolish doing so. Bill Self has (politely yet tangentially) mentioned more than once over the years about the negativity on these boards. We all know what he means, but apparently some just dont care--thinking their own constitutionally-guaranteed-yet-stupider-than-stupid "opinion" matters more than Self's or of the players themselves. Some of these comments have likely hurt recruiting, possibly? Fools.

ralster 3 years, 4 months ago

Cole Aldrich "saved" everyones butt against Memphis, or we not only would have had a LOSS very early, but would have had to put up with "vindicated" Memphis fans taunts on this site all season long. Cole Aldrich basically gets that game-ball vs. Memphis, and ya'll know it! And so far, there is n.o.t.h.i.n.g. that TT or Collins or Aldrich has done/not done to cause a KU loss, is there? Ya'll define the word "fickle" or "fair-weather fans". Thought some people on here were better than that. KU deserves better.

Jhawkerman 3 years, 4 months ago

Ok Cole is a little ill ... Whats wrong with the twins? ... they can't jump .. they can't finish .. they throw the ball at the basket .. have not dunked a ball in game'S!!! Whats up with them? Are there tattoo's to heavy to let them jump? Ever since the Philly game they have been almost worthless on the floor.. I am a big fan of there efforts but something is wrong with them... anyone know?

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Keegan